Derry SFC: Champions pip The Loup

Magherafelt's Emmett McGuckin.

Magherafelt 0-14

The Loup 1-10

Magherafelt will get the chance to defend their Derry SFC title in next weekend's final as they pipped The Loup in Bellaghy yesterday.

They will face the winners of today's semi-final at Pairc Sean de Brun, either Ballinderry or Slaughtneil, in the McLaughlin Cup showpiece.

The teams were tied at 0-4 apiece at the first-water break, before Magherafelt found their rhythm to forge a 0-9 to 0-5 lead at the break, with Emmett McGuckin and Conor Kearns proving a handful for The Loup.

They went level again on 40 minutes when a punched Ciaran Devlin goal brought The Loup right back into the contest, 0-10 to 1-7. However, the champions held their nerve and saw out a one-point win.